US’ Bolton says Iran behind attacks on oil tankers

ABU DHABI (AA) – US National Security Adviser John Bolton on Wednesday accused Iran of being behind attacks on oil tankers off the coast of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) early this month.

Speaking in Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital, Bolton said the attacks took place "by naval mines almost certainly from Iran".

The UAE said four vessels, including two oil tankers, were hit by sabotage attacks near its territorial waters, but without blaming anyone for the attacks.

Saudi Arabia also said military drones carried out attacks on two oil pump stations on the East-West pipeline, which carries oil from Eastern Province to Yanbu port in the Red Sea.

Riyadh has blamed Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen for the attacks.

Meanwhile, Bolton accused Tehran of seeking to acquire nuclear weapons.

"There is no reason" for Iran's withdrawal from the nuclear deal rather than its pursuit of nuclear weapons, Bolton said.

* Writing by Mahmoud Barakat